Doctor strike suspension a ‘huge relief to thousands of patients’

The Patients Association has welcomed the news from The British Medical Association today announcing an end to the planned series of junior doctor strikes.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive, said: “We are delighted that the BMA have listened to the fears of patients and the public and called off the planned industrial action.

“It will be a huge relief to thousands of patients who have been worrying about when their surgery or hospital appointment would be re-arranged, in light of the strikes announced last month.”

A series of five-day walk-outs had been planned over the next three months but this morning the BMA called them off.

Mrs Murphy said: “The Patients Association understand the enormity of the decision taken today by the BMA.

“The evidence, experience and feeling of doctors about what constitutes safe-staffing levels was overwhelming, so to take a step back and re-evaluate their decision to strike should not be trivialised.

“I have no doubt, that having reviewed the responses from NHS trusts and having listened to their patients, that the BMA made this decision in the very best interests of patients: proving that they continue to place patients at the heart of this debate.”

She added: “I hope that the Department of Health show willingness to meet with the BMA and do what they can to address doctors’ working conditions and respond to their concerns around patient safety.

“I trust that both parties will arrive at a solution whereby patients are given the very best and safest level of care that can possibly be provided.”

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